This gluten-free apple crumble wraps all the warmth of fall into one cozy dessert. It’s filled with a mound of soft-baked, tender apples and then topped with a buttery, cinnamon crumble topping. There’s no better time to pull out this recipe than when a crisp chill is drifting through the window, leaves are slowly falling to the ground and the season’s best apples are for sale. Bonus: This recipe is gluten-free and is just as easy to make as any crumble recipe.
Ingredients for Gluten-Free Apple Crumble
- Apples: You’ll need about eight apples (around 2 pounds) to get 6 cups sliced apples. Peel them first, then slice them.
- Sugar: We use granulated sugar to sweeten the topping of our gluten-free apple crumble. Feel free to swap in brown sugar if that’s all you have on hand.
- Gluten-free all-purpose flour: A gluten-free all-purpose flour and a gluten-free cup-for-cup blend are not the same. The latter usually contains xanthan gum to make the dough stretchy, which we are avoiding. Double-check that you’re buying a gluten-free flour labeled “all-purpose.”
- Cinnamon: Sweet cinnamon carries in the autumnal vibe.
- Butter: Cube one stick of butter, and keep it in your fridge (or freezer!) so it stays nice and cold until you’re ready to use it.
- Ice cream: While optional, we love serving a scoop of ice cream on top of each warm plate of apple crumble. Grab one of the best vanilla ice cream brands from the store, or pick out a fall-flavored ice cream like pumpkin or butter pecan.
Directions
Step 1: Arrange the apples
Preheat the oven to 375°F. Place the apples in a greased 9-inch square baking dish.
Step 2: Make the crumble topping
In a small bowl, whisk together the sugar, gluten-free flour and cinnamon. Cut in the cold butter until the mixture is crumbly. Sprinkle the topping over the apples, making sure to reach all four corners and edges.
Step 3: Bake the crumble
Bake the crumble until it’s golden brown and bubbly around the edges, 50 to 55 minutes.
Step 4: Serve the crumble
If desired, serve the crumble with ice cream.
Editor’s Tip: When making crumble recipes, I always let the crumble sit for 30 to 60 minutes after baking. This gives the filling time to thicken and set up, and lets the whole crumble cool off a bit so it’s not piping hot.
Recipe Variations
- Add oats to the topping: Prefer texture in your topping? Use the oat topping from our gluten-free apple crisp recipe.
- Play with warming fall spices: Since we already have a base flavor of autumnal apples and sweet cinnamon, other fall spices can be added too. Sprinkle in nutmeg, cardamom or a tiny bit of ginger. Or, encompass all these flavors with a good shake of an apple pie spice blend.
- Make it dairy-free: Swap in your favorite vegan butter brand and break out a pint of dairy-free ice cream. Also, double-check that your gluten-free flour does not contain milk powder or whey powder.
- Use a premade apple filling: We get it, not everyone has the time or patience to peel and cut a bunch of apples. Try baking this gluten-free apple crumble with a can of apple pie filling instead of the 6 cups sliced apples.
How to Store Gluten-Free Apple Crumble
To store, let your gluten-free apple crumble cool completely to room temperature. Cover the pan with storage wrap or aluminum foil, and refrigerate the crumble for up to five days. If you have only a little bit of crumble left over, transfer it to an airtight container.
Can you freeze a gluten-free apple crumble?
Yes, you can freeze this crumble. Once it has cooled to room temperature, cover the pan with a layer of storage wrap, followed by a layer of aluminum foil. The two layers will prevent freezer burn. Freeze the crumble for up to one month. Thaw overnight in the fridge.
Gluten-Free Apple Crumble Tips
What are the best apples to use for baking?
The best apples for baking are tart, firm apples. Honeycrisp, Granny Smith and Pink Lady are your best bets. Stay away from bland, mealy apples like McIntosh or Red Delicious.
What do you serve with this gluten-free apple crumble?
Our top recommendation is to serve this apple crumble with ice cream. Get a nice store-bought brand, or go the extra mile to make your own ice cream. Homemade vanilla ice cream, butter pecan or an ever autumnal pumpkin ice cream would be lovely. Salted caramel sauce would take this crumble over the top in the best way. For something lighter, serve the crumble with sweetened whipped cream. Brew a batch of coffee or whip up homemade hot cocoa, and enjoy your cozy fall evening!
